Ready to Light it Up

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Pontiac Daily Leader - Pontiac, IL

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Posted Nov. 16, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Updated Nov 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM

Posted Nov. 16, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Updated Nov 16, 2012 at 12:05 PM

Pontiac, Ill.

P.R.O.U.D., Pontiac Premiere Main Street, will be holding its annual Christmas Light Up Parade Friday, Nov. 23, beginning at 6 p.m. This event draws more than 2,000 spectators each year and is being sponsored by the Floyd A. & Alta I. Byrne Trust with an additional donation from Mario's Pizza.

"Usually in the past, we've had 30 to 40 entries in the parade. We have a few new ones that are coming onboard that we haven't had in the past and they're all local business. We even have some local residents that are going to be in the parade as well. It's a festive time of the year and we want people to come out and enjoy themselves," said Lori Fairfield, executive director of P.R.O.U.D. "We're really excited and I think the weather is supposed to cooperate with us and we can't wait to see what this year will bring."

Numerous professional floats will be involved, including the fully animated, 10-feet-tall Duncan the Dragon; the four-car Toyland Express Train; a 12-feet-tall snowman; Rudolffalo, the Rudolph wannabe; Letters from Home Jeep, which is a military jeep with four soldiers reading mail; the newly renovated, 13-feet-across Stars and Stripes Eagle carrying the American Flag; the Ground Zero Firemen, a 13-feet-tall flag accompanied by four firemen including a weeping fireman; a 10-feet-tall teddy bear playing the drum; and a seven-foot-long swimming dolphin.

Selling goodies during the parade this year is the Pontiac Red Fez Shriners and the Grace Christian School.

One of the most important parts of the parade will be the arrival of Santa Claus, who will be riding in the Radio Flyer wagon, provided by Rick Sullivan and Kathy's Collision of Clinton. Santa and Mrs. Claus are being escorted this year by Aryana Ruiz, playing Miss Jingle and Parker Brock, playing Jingle Bell. Ruiz is the daughter of Angie Ruiz, Cornell, and Juan Ruiz, Pontiac, and Brock is the son of Chris and Angie Brock, Pontiac.

Santa will be in his house in downtown Pontiac immediately following the parade and will be available for visits Saturday, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10, and 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera for photos. Santa will be happy to have his photo taken with friendly pets, also.

The Santa House is accepting donations for the Livingston County Community Food Pantry and the Salvation Army and is sponsored by State Bank of Graymont, Pontiac Hicksgas and Chad Wilkens of Light Up Toys.

"P.R.O.U.D. would like to encourage everyone to shop local and shop downtown Pontiac this holiday season, all while checking out the new stores recently added to downtown," Fairfield said.

For anyone interested in being part of the parade, free of charge, please call the P.R.O.U.D. office at 815-844-6692 or visit www.pontiacproud.org for more information.